Relefact (thyrotropin-releasing hormone, TRH, Thypinone)

Indications

• adjunct agent in the assessment of thyroid function
• adjunct to other procedures in the assessment of patients with pituitary or hypothalamic disorders
• used in the assessment of abnormal control of prolactin secretion

Dosage

• adults: 500 ug (200-500 ug)
• children: 7 ug/kg to a maximum dose of 500 ug

Injection: 500 ug/mL (1 mL)

Adverse effects

• common (> 10%)
  • headache, flushing of the face, nausea, dry mouth, lightheadedness, urge to urinate
• less common (1-10%)
  • breast enlargement & galactorrhea in lactating women, taste disturbance, abdominal discomfort, anxiety, sweating, tingling
• uncommon (< 1%)
  • severe hypotension, temporary loss of vision

Mechanism of action

• thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
• induces release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary
• induces release of prolactin from the pituitary

More general terms

• thyrotropin-releasing hormone; thyroliberin; protirelin (TRH)
• endocrine agent

Additional terms

• thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyrotropin
• thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor; TRH-R; thyroliberin receptor (TRHR)
• TRH stimulation test